Chapter 74: Two-in-One Part 1

Qiu Sui wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but over the past couple of days, the bruises on Shen Zhixiao’s face had gradually faded, while the dark circles under his eyes seemed to grow even heavier. It made Qiu Sui wonder if Shen Zhixiao had barely slept at all the night before.

He stared at the prominent shadows under the other’s eyes, frowning slightly before he couldn’t hold back and asked, “What time did you go to bed last night?”

Hearing Qiu Sui’s concern out of the blue left Shen Zhixiao a bit slow to react—at least, that was probably due to his chronic sleep deprivation.

Lately, he’d been going to bed late and waking up early: falling asleep around one or two in the morning, only to stir awake before five. There was no way Shen Zhixiao could tell Qiu Sui about sneaking peeks at his dorm window after waking up, so he just honestly reported his bedtime.

Qiu Sui went to bed on schedule every night around eleven, midnight at the latest. The few times he’d stayed up late had been right after their breakup, leaving him so sleep-deprived the next day that he could barely focus in class.

This guy gets up early every day and still pulls all-nighters? Is he trying to kill himself? Or does he think an S-level alpha’s constitution can take that kind of abuse?

Qiu Sui felt a spark of irritation. He tugged at the scarf around the other’s neck with a cool glare. “You say goodnight to me every night, then stay up playing on your phone?”

“I didn’t.” Shen Zhixiao denied it at once, a faint trace of dejection in his expression as he explained softly, “I… I just can’t fall asleep easily.”

That was an understatement.

Qiu Sui wanted to argue, but seeing the way Shen Zhixiao hung his head so meekly, he held his tongue in the end. He could only instruct him to find something to distract himself before bed and to empty his mind once it was time to sleep—no spiraling thoughts.

Shen Zhixiao didn’t dare tell him that he soothed himself every night by scrolling through photos in his album, or that he hugged Qiu Sui’s jacket for a sense of security.

No matter what he did, though, that restless anxiety lingered in his chest. Late at night, his pheromones grew wildly unstable, often triggering alarms from the Neck Ring.

It was probably because the potent inhibitor he’d used before had shattered what little balance his pheromones had left. Lately, Shen Zhixiao found it harder and harder to keep his low moods in check.

Seeing the alpha looking distracted, Qiu Sui couldn’t resist tugging at the scarf around his neck again. “From now on, after you say goodnight to me, put down your phone, clear your head, and go to sleep.”

The tug snapped Shen Zhixiao back to attention. Feeling that faint pull, his emotions stirred right along with it. He pressed his lips together and hummed happily in agreement.

Satisfied, Qiu Sui let go of the scarf and kept walking. As they headed downstairs, he glanced at Shen Zhixiao from the corner of his eye.

Classes had been wrapping up one by one these past few days. Starting Thursday afternoon, Qiu Sui had no more lectures, and Shen Zhixiao’s schedule was about the same. The week ahead was all finals review.

Qiu Sui felt no pressure about exam prep, so this stretch of time was mostly free for him…

“Xiao Sui…”

Lost in thought, Qiu Sui almost missed Shen Zhixiao’s soft call from behind. He snapped back with a low hum and turned his head.

The alpha’s head was slightly bowed, a hint of tension in his eyes as he asked hopefully—just like yesterday—if they could have lunch together today.

After days of rejections, Shen Zhixiao didn’t dare hope too much. So when Qiu Sui agreed, he froze for several seconds.

Once it sank in, his eyes widened in delighted surprise. His lips curved up uncontrollably, his voice bright with joy he couldn’t quite contain. “Th-then… South 2 Canteen?”

Qiu Sui shifted uncomfortably under that intense gaze, turning his head with a hum. “You pick.”

Shen Zhixiao knew all the places Qiu Sui frequented and liked.

He chose South 2 Canteen mostly because it had that fruit tea shop Qiu Sui loved. Iced drinks weren’t great in this weather, but with the indoor heating, one after the meal wouldn’t hurt.

Shen Zhixiao had ordered a passionfruit tea in advance. By the time Qiu Sui got it, he couldn’t resist taking a sip right away—and by the time they queued for food, he’d already downed half.

Shen Zhixiao couldn’t help tugging at his scarf. “Drink less. You’ve still got to eat.”

Sure enough, after half a cup of fruit tea, Qiu Sui’s appetite dipped a bit. Shen Zhixiao regretted ordering it early; he’d meant it as a post-meal treat.

Still, Qiu Sui finished his meal in the end, leaning back against the sofa, stuffed and too full to move. The remaining half cup of tea went undrunk, needless to say.

His gaze drifted vaguely toward Shen Zhixiao across from him, catching the other’s sneaky glances dead-on. Shen Zhixiao flusteredly dropped his eyes.

The indoor heating was a bit warm. Qiu Sui shrugged off his thick coat, revealing a light gray cardigan with most of the buttons undone, exposing the white base layer beneath and his collarbone.

Shen Zhixiao’s gaze drifted uncontrollably back to him. Qiu Sui pretended not to notice. After a couple of minutes, he pushed himself up slightly, grabbed the half cup of passionfruit tea, and took a sip. His lips, now glistening, looked richly flushed.

After that sip, he really couldn’t drink any more. He set the tea on the table and reminded the wide-eyed alpha across from him that it was time to head back.

Shen Zhixiao sat rigid for a few seconds before responding slowly. He watched as Qiu Sui stood, pulled on his coat, and covered up his collarbone and inner layer.

Like a marionette, Shen Zhixiao mirrored every move a beat behind. Only when Qiu Sui was ready to leave did he hurriedly grab the half cup of tea from the table and follow him back to the dorms.

At the shuttle bus stop, Qiu Sui was still so full he paced back and forth. Shen Zhixiao trailed after him for no apparent reason.

Qiu Sui half-wished he could play their old game: knotting their scarves together so Shen Zhixiao could lead him along.

But that’s something you do when you’re dating. We haven’t gotten back together yet—we can’t.

The bus was pulling up when Qiu Sui noticed Shen Zhixiao was still holding his finished fruit tea. Sensing the gaze, Shen Zhixiao thought he wanted more and held it up, straw right at his lips.

Qiu Sui’s hands were in his pockets as he stared at the alpha earnestly offering the drink. He froze for a second.

The straw—bitten by him earlier—was a bit flattened, brushing faintly against his lower lip with an itch. Qiu Sui licked his lips on instinct. Feeling Shen Zhixiao’s scorching gaze on his face, his heartbeat quickened.

He hesitated awkwardly for a few seconds, then leaned down and bit the straw, sipping straight from the other’s hand. He let go, tilted his head up to meet those darkened eyes, and said, “I’m done.”

Shen Zhixiao stared at his wet, red lips, swallowing almost inaudibly. He murmured a soft “oh” and dropped his gaze to the large cup of passionfruit tea.

The passionfruit seeds swayed gently in the juice; the ice had fully melted. Wonder if it’s too watered down now.

His fingers dented the cup slightly. His dry lips twitched. “There’s still a lot left.”

Qiu Sui hummed, shifting his eyes to the approaching shuttle. “Don’t want it. You deal with it.”

Emboldened, Shen Zhixiao bit his lip and hugged the cup to his chest, hurrying after him onto the bus. He tested the waters softly. “Can I… drink it then?”

Qiu Sui nearly missed a step hearing that, but the culprit was quick—his hand shot out to steady him.

Qiu Sui straightened up, bristling like a startled cat, and elbowed Shen Zhixiao’s arm hard. Flustered and annoyed, he snapped, “Don’t ask me!”

That means do whatever.

A faint smile played on Shen Zhixiao’s face despite the jab. He sat beside Qiu Sui and took a sip through the straw.

The passionfruit juice wasn’t diluted at all—sweet as ever.

Qiu Sui leaned against the window, propping his head with one hand to hide the heat on his face, pretending to stare at the scenery outside.

But the window reflected everything clearly: Shen Zhixiao drinking his fruit tea.

Qiu Sui felt stifled and embarrassed. We did this all the time when we were dating, and it never felt off. Why does it feel so charged now?!

Was it just… normal back then?

Unable to figure it out, Qiu Sui hunched his heated neck and adjusted his scarf to cover half his face. He even pulled up his coat hood to mask his unnatural state.

By the time they reached the dorm building, Shen Zhixiao had drained the cup.

Qiu Sui caught a glimpse of the flattened straw tip. His lips, tucked under the scarf, licked instinctively. Realizing it, he flushed hotter and hurried ahead.

Shen Zhixiao didn’t toss the empty cup right away. He clutched it all the way, escorting Qiu Sui back. At the door, he watched him scan his card and asked reluctantly, “Can we… have dinner together tonight too?”

Qiu Sui tilted his chin up like a cat strutting past arrogantly. He pulled open the door and said coolly, “We’ll see.”

Through the crack, Shen Zhixiao spotted the model he’d gifted on Qiu Sui’s desk. His mood brightened instantly, leaving him a bit dazed as he returned to his own room.

Qiu Sui’s “we’ll see” was vague, but that afternoon after class, he still ate dinner with Shen Zhixiao. It sent the alpha’s heart soaring, and he even turned in a little earlier than the past few nights.

But with Thursday afternoon free, Qiu Sui had no classes. Shen Zhixiao couldn’t linger at his door for morning routines or wait after classes for cafeteria runs anymore.

Luckily, Qiu Sui headed to the library to review, so Shen Zhixiao tagged along to the study room. Not only could he sit with him, but they could head to dinner together near mealtime—everything felt perfectly natural.